Happy Birthday, Heidi!

For the past 5+ years, my kids have been having kids. This is a lovely time in my life - watching them parenting and reaping the rewards of being a grand-parent. But a mother never forgets when she had a baby. It was 32 years ago this morning. The weather had been extremely hot: 101 degrees! Thankfully, we had central air conditioning in the parsonage in which we were living. Vacation Bible School was in progress out in our yard - in tents. This was a new idea for our church and seemed to go over well. I lucked out of not having to teach that year since I was too uncomfortable.

I woke in the morning with a slight back ache. My baby wasn't due for another three weeks. This is probably just the position of the baby right now, I thought. I passed it off. But soon the ache became stronger and I knew I was going to be delivering that day. Our sweet neighbors just across the road had 3 wonderful daughters that had become our baby sitters. I phoned them and told them my situation. 2 of the girls came over to stay with Hans and Peder, and Steve and I left for the hospital. Later that morning, around 9:45, Heidi Reneé was born. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 17 inches long. Since I had two boys already, I hadn't gotten my hopes up for having a girl and had the name "Nels" picked out had she been a boy. I was so surprised when the doctor said, "It's a girl!" I remembered asking, "Are you sure?"

Once home and able to go shopping, the first thing I bought Heidi was a little cloth Fisher Price doll named "Lollie." I still have it.

Happy Birthday, Heidi. I have loved you since I laid eyes on you!